New allowance scheme launches to boost elderly and middle-aged employment

A brand new "Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme" is open for registration starting today (Jul 15) to provide incentives to the elderly and middle-aged to rejoin the workforce.

The Scheme, launched by Labour Department (LD), applies to Hong Kong residents aged 40 or above who have not been in paid employment for at least three consecutive months. 

Participants will receive HK$10,000 allowance after working as full-time for six months, with an additional HK$10,000 for them if they have worked full-time for a year.

Part-time participants will be receiving half of the allowance. 

The maximum allowance per participant will be HK$20,000 during the Scheme's implementation.

Employers of participants of the Scheme can also enroll in the Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged and will be provided with on-the-job training allowance. 

To encourage employers to take on participants of the REA Scheme, LD will extend the duration of OJT allowance under EPEM for eligible employers to six to 12 months.

Interested parties can visit the dedicated webpage or call the hotlines for details and registration procedures of the Scheme.